Saturday Devotional...4/14/12

Healable

Proofreading an essay for my college aged daughter, I was struck by the quote she was analyzing as per her assignment. Spoken by the author, Tim O’Brien, in his documentary, Operation Homecoming, I found the mindset disturbing, but then I reminded myself that this very well might be the mindset of countless people who don’t know Christ. The quote was, “There is a false notion that we all ought to recover from everything: divorce, broken homes, and wars and get on. We all ought to heal. I don't believe in it. I believe the opposite. There are some things you shouldn't heal from. They are unhealable. And if they were healable, you oughtn't do it anyway. There is something to be said for remembering and not healing.”

Unhealable? Really? Maybe unforgettable, but certainly not unhealable! However, this man is confused about the difference between remembering and healing. In fact, his statement of, “…something to be said for remembering and not healing,” runs contrary to everything Christ came to do. He came to bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the broken hearted, and set the captives free. Well, I would definitely say that anyone trapped in their unhealed wounds is afflicted, broken, and captive. To know that so many believe this way is a tragedy in itself and an excellent reminder of how desperately we all need Christ.

The more I thought about this, the more I realized that it is not only the lost who allow themselves to be trapped in their wounds, but also many, many of those who proclaim themselves to be under the blood of Christ. Oh, how we believe the lies that our wounds are unhealable, or that they should remain that way. If only we all fully understood that Christ’s victory was for every aspect of life. Yes, of course, God desires for us to be healed of our past regardless of how traumatic of a label we place on it, and not only that, but He expects us to use the power given to us by His Son to find victory!

I can think of countless stories of Christians experiencing traumatic injustices, devastating losses, and unbelievable persecutions, and yet were able to heal, forgive and even use their situations to minister to others. Unforgettable they may be, but unhealable they are not, and praise God for that!

We know that if God is for us, who can be against us? We know that nothing can separate us from His love. We know that we are more than conquerors. We know that He freely gives to us all things. We know that He causes all things to work together for good. We know that we can do all things through Christ. The list goes on and on. Since we know all these things, we know that the power is available to us. All we have to do is ask in His name. How hopeless the world is without Jesus, and how confident and victorious we are with Him. Hallelujah and amen!

Amie Spruiell 4/13/12

Friday Devotional...4/13/12

He is the Source of my Strength

Listening to the choir sing in church one Sunday, these certain words struck my heart and mind so powerfully that said “He is the source of my Strength”. The emphasis on the word “Source” is what really hit me. Source I thought, what are all the many sources that we depend on for life’s existence:

We get our source for electricity >> from power plants, windmills, generators etc.

How does the source of nutrients from the food we eat divide and go into different parts of our body for nourishment?

The source of learning and knowledge can come from books, teachers, parents, internet, experience etc.


The source of water to sustain life can come from many sources>> reservoirs, rivers, lakes, wells etc.

I may not understand the depth and length of all the many ways that take part to energize and sustain the human race through these obtainable sources whether it be out of necessity or of pleasure, but this one thing I do know, and that is… Jesus is the source for the strength of my life. There is no other place to go but to the Lord. Selah

When we look to the Lord (our source) for our strength whether we need strength in our weakness or whether we need strength for power…God is still the source of our strength. In the Bible both Sampson and David looked to the Lord (their source) for strength. Sampson for strength of power and David for strength in his humility

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me,

and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul

(Psalms 138:3)

Seek the LORD and his strength,

seek his face continually

(I Chronicles 16:11)

I found a quote from Arthur W. Pink in which he said:
(Quote) “Unbelief is infectious! The unbelief of one strengthens the unbelief of another, just as the faith of one strengthens the faith of another”


Conclusion:
Oh Believers on the name of Jesus….
He is the source of our strength to whom we can continually look to.Selah


Written by:
Glenna Williamson

Thursday Devotional...4/12/12

Another Growth Opportunity, Part 2

Looking out the kitchen window makes dishwashing go by more quickly. I feel like I do dishes all the time: sippy cups, little spoons, cute plastic cereal bowls and dishes with suction-cup bottoms for the high chair tray seem to multiply in the sink when my back is turned. As I look at the rows of homes on each side of the street I can just see the edge of a small playground area. Sigh, I really thought I would be further along in life, I mumble to the Lord. “Further along” would be code for “I thought we would have more money by now!”

“You are living the life you wanted,” I hear in my head. Really, hmmm, now that you mention it, I did say I wanted to live in the suburbs near lots of other families so that my kids would always have playmates available. Plus I know I am the one who turned down two, not one, but two potentially life changing job possibilities (see last week’s devotional-April 5) that my husband really wanted to try.

Humbled, I stop working for a moment, and pray, “Well, Lord, I promise, the next time Ron sees a job opportunity that interests him I will not hinder him, but will encourage him.” In my mind’s eye I see a huge ship way out from the shore. Its portholes are bright with light in the gathering dusk and there is my husband in a very small boat rowing out to it with all his strength.

Two years and two more babies later I have a chance to keep my promise. A friend he has known for 20 years has offered to train my husband in a new field if he will commit to work for him for at least two years. We only have to move to the other side of the country.

My husband is excited but worried as he watches for my reaction. I doubt that I come off as the most spontaneous of women, but I assure him that I think this is a great idea. Almost all of our friends think this opportunity is too good to be true. Any concern pointed out by our friends, I make a mental note not to act worried about it.

Let me be completely real, inside my head I am wondering if anyone will like me, will I make any friends, will I be so different that people will figure out how weird I am? I have lived in a metropolitan area for 20 years but I have heard it is very different in the west. After all, California isn’t like any place else, is it?

Fourteen years later, my husband has excelled in his new field. I have learned to be grateful when the Lord convicts me. If I hadn’t come to realize the error of my ways with his first two job opportunities I doubt I would have been ready to resist my own fears and put my trust in God that He would watch over us as I supported and followed my husband.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Hebrews 12:11-12 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy which is new every morning. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Please help me to remember all You have done when fears threaten to overwhelm me. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Wednesday Devotional

We have a friend living in a mother-in-law set up that is part of our house. She is more than a friend...she is family...and yesterday she brought a devotional in to read to me. She said it was for me, and I am sharing it here because I believe it is for everyone. 

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YOU ARE MINE FOR ALL TIME

Nothing can separate you from My Love.

Since I have invested MY vert Life in you, be well assured that I will also take care of you. When your mind goes into neutral and your thoughts flow freely, you tend to feel anxious and alone. Your focus becomes problem solving.To get your mind back into gear, just turn toward Me, bringing your problems into My Presence.

Many problems vanist instantly in the Light of My Love, because you realize you are never alone.  Other problems may remain, but they become secondary to knowing Me and rejoicing in the relationship I so freely offer you. Each moment you can choose to practice My Presence or to practice the presence of problems.

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

 

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Exodus 33:14 (NLT)

14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses,

 and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

11 You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Shared by Corinne Mustafa

Thursday Devotional...4/10/12

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

 Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4: 2-9

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Let believers be of one mind, and ready to help each other. As the apostle had found the benefit of their assistance, he knew how comfortable it would be to his fellow-labourers to have the help of others. Let us seek to give assurance that our names are written in the book of life. Joy in God is of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it. It more than outweighs all causes for sorrow. Let their enemies perceive how moderate they were as to outward things, and how composedly they suffered loss and hardships. The day of judgment will soon arrive, with full redemption to believers, and destruction to ungodly men. There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and agrees with a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of fear and distrust, which is sin and folly, and only perplexes and distracts the mind. As a remedy against perplexing care, constant prayer is recommended. Not only stated times for prayer, but in every thing by prayer. We must join thanksgivings with prayers and supplications; not only seek supplies of good, but own the mercies we have received. God needs not to be told our wants or desires; he knows them better than we do; but he will have us show that we value the mercy, and feel our dependence on him. The peace of God, the comfortable sense of being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than can be fully expressed. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with inward satisfaction. Believers are to get and to keep a good name; a name for good things with God and good men. We should walk in all the ways of virtue, and abide therein; then, whether our praise is of men or not, it will be of God. The apostle is for an example. His doctrine and life agreed together. The way to have the God of peace with us, is to keep close to our duty. All our privileges and salvation arise in the free mercy of God; yet the enjoyment of them depends on our sincere and holy conduct. These are works of God, pertaining to God, and to him only are they to be ascribed, and to no other, neither men, words, nor deeds.

submitted by : Annie

Monday Devotional

Today I am sharing a writing from a member of our 'Writing Team" that has as its topic an occurance that happened after the Resurrection. I pray that you all had a wonderful Easter day.

CHRIST IS RISEN...HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!
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THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

My daughter and I took a stroll in a local park on Saturday morning. We have only walked in this particular setting once or twice before. We sauntered casually along the meandering path. The sun filtered down ever so gently through the immense ancient looking trees.

As I gazed about this lovely scene I was reminded of a famous painting called “The Road to Emmaus.” The picture portrays Jesus and two of His disciples walking on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. This depiction was inspired by the passage in Luke 24: 13-31. In this story, Jesus suddenly comes alongside His two friends to join them in their walk. Oddly enough, however, the disciples do not recognize the Master. This event takes place on Easter Sunday after the Lord's Resurrection. Jesus asks the two men what they have been discussing. They said to Him, “Are you the only one who has not heard about all the things that have been happening in Jerusalem the last few days?” Jesus coyly replies, “What things?'

The men proceed to tell Him that Jesus, whom they believed would redeem Israel, had been crucified. They also relayed that some women had gone to His tomb and found it empty. Their hopes that Jesus was their Messiah had been dashed and they were very discouraged. At that point Jesus explained all the scriptures concerning Moses and the prophets who had predicted these events and their significance. In their grief, confusion, and concern with their own feelings of abandonment and disillusion, the two disciples did not even recognize that the One they were talking with was Jesus Himself! It was not until later on that evening, upon breaking bread with the Lord, that His followers eyes were opened and that they actually recognized Him. At that point He disappeared from them.

I wonder how many times, in the midst of our own problems, that we also do not recognize Jesus in our midst? Like the apostles, many times we are not expecting Jesus among us. On those occasions we just do not see Him by our side. Perhaps in our own homes we become irritated with a troublesome child or with a disagreeable spouse. Perhaps we brush off a lonely church member who takes up a little too much of our personal time. Do we fail to see Jesus in others when they are hurting, sick, or even in need of material blessings? These people, like Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, may have divine wisdom and insight for us when we stop to share time and love with them. Let us ask the Lord to open our spiritual eyes and to see the divine appointments He has for us even when they interrupt our own personal agendas. Let's pray that we will see the Lord in others and treat them with love, consideration, and generosity.

In this way we will honor God's words which declare:

“The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did

 for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

NIV Matthew 25:40

By Cathy Friberg...1/29/12

Shared by Corinne Mustafa

YES!!!

HE IS RISEN

HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

SCARRED HANDS

Easter Devotional, 4/8/12

A person's hands can tell you some things about them. Some hands are quite large, others very small, which generally reflects the size of the person, with occasional exceptions. Whether they are soft and supple or scarred and calloused can reveal how much work they do with their hands. The skin of some hands may be chapped, which can indicate either that they wash their hands or have their hands in water a lot, or they have been outside in wind or cold weather without gloves.

Hands can also help determine what a person does in life. If they have large, strong hands they are more likely to be able to take a job in some type of heavy labor like construction than someone with a very weak grip. If they have exceptionally long fingers, they could play certain instruments with more ease than those with short fingers. If they have very good fine motor control and coordination they might be able to be a surgeon more than someone with clumsy hands. While there is much more that goes into what a person does, the hands do play a role.

Some people believe that you can read the palms of people's hands and tell what their future holds. As a child I remember some friends saying that one of the creases on the palms of your hands was the life line, and if it was long you would have a long life, and whether it crossed the other lines or not, etc. had different meanings. But we know that our future is literally in God's hands, not ours.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 NIV

And what about God's hands? We know that Jeus our Lord and Savior, whose resurrection we celebrate today on Easter, has some special scars on his hands. Those marks helped identify him to those who saw him after he was raised from the dead and while he walked this earth before ascending into heaven.

On the evening of that first day of the week (after Jesus had risen from the dead that morning), when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord....

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:19-20, 26-27 NIV

Those marks on the hands of Jesus were evidence of his death on the cross to pay the debt that we owed for our sins. It is as if we ourselves pounded those nails. His death is on our heads, but our name is on his hands.

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... Isaiah 49:16 NIV

What a glorious Savior we have, who died on the cross to save us from the punishment we wholly deserved, who never sinned himself, and who rose again to give us eternal life with him in heaven. The Bible says "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us". (Psalm 103:12) No matter how bad things have been in our lives, we can lay all our burdens at his feet and leave our entire future in his hands... his scarred hands!

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest, 'cause You know just how far the east is from the west, from one scarred hand to the other! (Lyrics from "East to West" by Casting Crowns)

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

written by Jan Andersen